[Retain Mike]

Jimmy Doolittle's co-pilot, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole, was the last living raider and died April 7, 2019 at 103 years. I knew so many men like him as I grew up and throughout my years. I knew an ace who served in the Flying Tigers, a ranger who scaled Point-Du-Hoc, a UDT sailor who cleared surf obstacles before the Okinawa landing, and a man with the 10th Mountain Infantry who received two silver stars and was the only one of eight officers in his company to land in Italy and soldier through the102 days until the Germans surrendered.

Now like Richard Cole all the men I knew have passed as well. I do not plan to forget them and will post this story annually to help others remember.

[SuperLuminal]

I vividly remember (I was a 9-year-old) the elation and celebration when the American public was made aware of this attack on those stinking japs...

[Lurkinanloomin]

Thanks for the post.

I read “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo” when I was a young and it left a lasting impression.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Thank you for the reminder of this historic mission. I remember hearing stories of how the Doolittle raid lifted the morale of the country, so soon after Pearl Harbor.

Remember this happened in April 1942. History tells us that the Axis powers had reached their maximum territory occupied in November and December of 1942. The outcome of the war was far from certain then.

While history tells us that we won World War II, it was not at all certain in those dark days of 1942 that we would emerge victorious.

[packrat35]

Thanks for posting.

[nicollo]

BTTP

Awesome work, Retain Mike !

[M Kehoe]

Bttt.

5.56mm

[Mean Daddy]

My father met him several times. Gen. Doolittle was on the board at Mutual of Omaha. Nothing but good things to say about the man.

[Theophilus]

The hangars at Eglin, used to modufy the B-25s, are stiml in service!

[Paal Gulli]

Jimmy Doolittle (et Al) is emblematic of an America that (seemingly) no longer exists. One in which the average citizen could be counted on to put his life on the line to preserve the very idea of America.

Even the fact that he managed to overcome the burden of a surname like “Doolittle” to become his own chapter in the history books shows what an un-ordinary man he was.